President Barroso welcomes Mr. Horacio Cartes, elected President of Paraguay

President José Manuel Barroso met today the elected President of Paraguay, Mr. Horacio Cartes, who will be sworn in as President of the Republic of Paraguay in August. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss future relations between the EU and Paraguay in the different areas of cooperation.

During the meeting, President Barroso "warmly congratulated Mr. Cartes for the results of the recent general elections which were accompanied by an EU Electoral observation mission" and reiterated the EU's support to the consolidation of Paraguay's democratic institutions.

President Barroso said that institutional reforms are key to the future of Paraguay and he offered EU's assistance to support the country: "Paraguay needs to translate economic growth into social development and that EU is happy to continue supporting these efforts", the President said.

President Barroso and Mr. Cartes also addressed the regional situation and exchanged views on UNASUR, MERCOSUR and the Pacific Alliance. President Barroso expressed his support to Paraguay's re-integration in MERCOSUR, also in view of the on-going negotiations for an EU – MERCOSUR Association Agreement.